UNIT III (8 MARKS) SUR DYNASTY
CONTRIBUTIONS OF SHER SHAH SURI.
Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri, “The Lion King”, founder of the Suri Dynasty, was born in 1472 in Punjab. His original name was Farid. His father Hassan Khan was a jagirdar of Sasaram, Bihar. Ill-treated by his stepmother, he left home at the age of 15 and went to Jaunpur. There he studied Arabic and Persian languages. He had very good administrative skills as a result he was appointed by his father to manage his jagir, But again because of his stepmother, he left his father’s Jagir and went to Bihar where he later joined the service of Babur.In 1522 he joined the service of Bahar Khan, governor of Bihar at that time. He was given the title of Sher Khan by Bahar Khan, for the courage and gallantry shown by him in killing a tiger single-handedly. Later Bahar Khan appointed him as a deputy governor and tutor of his son Jalal Khan. He again joined the service of Babur but came back. As Jalal Khan was a minor so Sher Khan was the virtual ruler of Bihar. In 1531, he asserted his freedom from the Mughal ruler Humayun. He fought many battles with him, initially capturing Gaur in Bengal and finally getting the throne of Delhi after the battle of Kannauj in 1540. He continued to expand his empire and in a very short span of time his kingdom extended from Indus in the east to Bengal in the west. He was a brave soldier and a military genius, he made bunkers using sand bags in the battle of Mevat.
He was a very able administrator and is remembered for his rule and the reforms he introduced. His administration was very efficient but a bit strict. He divided his empire into provinces known as Sarkars, these were further sub-divided into Parganas and these were again divided into smaller units. He is believed to be the first one to introduce "Rupaiya" and "paisa' in place of "Tanka". He is also credited with the introduction of custom duty, which is followed even today.
He built many inns, mosques and laid down the network of roads the most famous among them being the Grand Trunk Road. He also had a refined taste in architecture, it is evident in the Rohtas Fort built by him.
He continued his administrative as well as military activities simultaneously. He besieged the strong fort of Kalinjar in Bundelkhand where he died at in an accidental explosion of gunpowder in 1545. Though he ruled India for a short period of five years but changes made by him had the everlasting impact on the lives of people. He is considered to be the most successful ruler of medieval India. In the opinion of S.A. Rashid, as an able general, consummate soldier, as a determined ruler Sher Shah stand head over shoulders above the other rulers. So great was his personality that his greatest enemy, Humayun, on his death referred to him as "Ustad-I-Badshahan", teacher of kings. Sher Shah Suri was succeeded by his son Jalal Khan who later adopted the name of Islam Shah. He built a magnificent tomb of his father, Sher Shah Suri at Sasaram, Bihar.
Sher Shah defeated the Mughal forces in the battles at Chausa and Kanauj and seized the throne of Humayun (Babur's son) for himself in 1540. After suppressing the Gakkhars of Punjab, he built the fortress of Rohtas to control them. He split Bengal into small administrative units to ensure peace. He occupied Jodhpur and Ajmer in 1544 A.D. Next year he occupied Chitor and Amber, and died while besieging the fortress of Kaiinjar in 1545 A.D. He was buried at Sasaram. Sher Shah established a madarsa at Narnaul in Bihar. The dynasty by Sher Shah held control from the Kabul region in Afghanistan to Bangladesh in the east.
Rulers of Sur Dynasty
Sher Shah Suri May 17, 1540–May 22, 1545
Islam Shah Suri 1545 – 1553
Firuz Shah Suri 1553
Muhammad Adil Shah 1553-1555
Ibrahim Shah Suri 1555
Sikandar Shah Suri 1555–June 22, 1555
Sher Shah's Administrative Reforms
Administration: Sher Shah divided the empire into provinces. He experimented the usefulness of subdividing the provinces into regional administrative units by grouping some districts and appointed deputy governors. By making the local people responsible, he tremendously improved the law and order situation. By appointing two persons of equal rank at Paragana and Sarkar levels, he divided the executive functions and ensured the balance of power. He effected greater centralization by assuming the power of appointment and dismissal of Paragana and Sarkar officials. Dispensed justice well. Sujath Khan, Governor of Malwa was heavily punished for cheating soldiers, in making payment.
Revenue Administration: He classified the lands into three categories on the basis of their yield and assessed the land revenue on the basis of measurement of land. He drew up a schedule of rates to fix up land revenue in terms of cash. He issued 'Pattas' to the peasants and received 'Qabuliyats' from the latter. He established a famine relief fund and collected two and half seers per bigha from the peasants, for maintaining this relief fund.
Trade and Commerce: For improving them he built several new roads and restored the old ones (Got roads laid from Agra to Jodhpur and Chitor, Lahore to Multan and Agra to Burhampur and restored the old imperial road from river Indus to Sonargaon in Bengal. He built 'Sarais' along the roads for the traders to take rest. The sarais were also made use of as stages for the news service, carried with the aid of horses. He encouraged trade by standardising the coins of gold, silver, and copper, and introducing standard weights and measures. He collected the tolls only twice; once at the time of entering the country and next at the time of sales.
Military Administration: Maintained a large standing army of 1,50,000 cavalry, 25,000 infantry, 5,000 elephantry and artillery. He directly recruited the soldiers by dispensing with tribal levies. He maintained 'dagh' and 'Chahra' to keep his army efficient.
Contribution to Architecture: ensured the construction of a magnificent tomb at Sasaram in Bihar, sturdy fort at Rohtasgarh on Jhelum and Purana Quila at Delhi.
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